How to Get Past Excersize Avoiding Excuses

We have a lot of excuses to avoid getting exercise. Here are some motivators to get us past our mental road blocks.

“It’s too cold”

I use this excuse all the time! It’s Minnesota for crying out loud! It’s always cold and when it’s not cold, it’s boiling hot. Well, here’s where your computer or smart phone comes in. There are tons of apps out there to help you get motivated and stay motivated. I use the Fat Secret Calorie Counter App to help me out. It tracks my calories, has a barcode scanner, a portion controller and reminds me to weigh in in case I forget. There’s another one I’ve heard is great. It’s the Nike Training Club. This app offers free workouts with rewards like new workouts designed by celebrity trainers. It’s free and available for both the iPhone and Android devices.

“I can’t afford it”

Gym memberships can be expensive, they don’t have to be. Check daily deal sites like Seize the Deal or the Value Connection for money saving offers to gyms, boot camps and yoga classes. Many community centers have inexpensive memberships for residents and the YMCA even has a scholarship program for people who qualify. Where I used to live, they had a community center and I went every single day and to just shoot baskets or run on the track was $1. You probably have that in your couch cushions or in your car’s cup holder.

“I don’t have time”

You don’t have to be that guy or that girl who spends two hours at the gym every day. In fact, more research is discovering that a little bit of exercise can go a long way. A study done by the University of Copenhagen discovered that a half an hour of exercise per day os just as good as an hour long super sweaty workout. You can even break it up. On your morning coffee break, take a brisk ten minute walk. On your lunch, walk for another ten minutes. In the afternoon, walk another ten minutes. There’s a half an hour right there. I hated one job I had and taking a brisk walk every day kept me from punching people. It’s really great. Try it.

“I’m bored”

This happens all the time to everyone. You are not alone. Switch things up a bit. When you run outside, reverse your route, ride your bike or rollerskate. If you work out in the gym, swap out one exercise for another, or try a class. Whatever you do, don’t quit.

“I have little ones”

Do you have little kids at home? Great! Bring them with! Mother and child fitness classes are popping up everywhere and they bring a whole new meaning to the term “baby weight” because you’re actually using junior as key parts of your workout routine. Try Mommy and Me Fitness or Stroller Strides for classes near you. I have a girlfriend who did this and she lost the baby weight in no time flat. If you don’t belong to a gym but have a home computer, go to YouTube and search for Mommy and Me Fitness for videos you can do in the privacy of your own home.

“I can’t get motivated”

This was a huge one for me after I stopped running every day. I couldn’t get back into the groove of running four miles per day. If you’re having trouble getting motivated, bring a friend along. Take a walk with your BFF and catch up, or ask her to hold a spot for you at Jazzercise. You’re more likely to go along if you know she’s waiting. There are also virtual trainers that “meet” with you via two way web cam. The price is $35 for 60 minutes and if you are only working out with them once or twice per week, they can help you with a workout pland for the days you aren’t working out together.